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See a sample rate comparisonCPT 72148 Fee Schedule
Medicare rates as of October 2026
CPT 72148 is classified under Radiology Procedures, in the Diagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures subgroup.
Mri Inner Spine (Canal), An Mri (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Of The Interior Of The Lower Spine (Spinal Canal). A Contrast Agent May Be Given To Enhance The Images.
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Service Type | Radiology Procedures Diagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures |
| Common Place of Service | 11 - Office 22 - On Campus Outpatient Hospital |
| Common Modifiers | 26 - Professional component TC - Technical component |
| Complexity Level | Moderate |
| Medicare Fee Schedule | $191.72 national non-facility rate (2026) · View Medicare rates for 72148 |
| Medicaid Fee Schedule | $158.14 median of the 8 states in the free preview · View Medicaid rates for 72148 |
National average reimbursement for CPT 72148 by major payers:
$263.26
BCBS / Anthem
$361.79
UnitedHealthcare
$451.03
Aetna
$397.17
Cigna
Compare published rates across providers.
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CPT 72148
5 of 25 sample ratesHigher to lower in this preview
Seyed Hadi Mirhedayati Roudsari
$2,768.97Published rateJeffrey Waltz
Wake Forest Health Network, LLC
$391.89Published rateHeather Frimmer
North Shore Hematology-Oncology Associates, P.C.
$193.46Published rateDouglas Gibson
$137.99Published rateShota Yamamoto
Nrhs Radiology Associates
$60.22Published rate
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See a sample payer proposalCPT 72148 vs. Other Diagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures Codes
The table lists codes related to 72148. Select one to see its fee schedule.
| Code | Complexity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 72131-CPT | Low | Ct Scan Of Lower Spine, Ct (Computed Tomography) Of Spine (Low Back). The Scanner Circles The Body Taking X-Rays And Assembles Them Into A 3-D Image. Dye May Be Injected To Make The Area Easier To See. |
| 72148-CPT | Moderate | Mri Inner Spine (Canal), An Mri (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Of The Interior Of The Lower Spine (Spinal Canal). A Contrast Agent May Be Given To Enhance The Images. |
| 72149-CPT | Moderate | Mri Inner Spine (Canal), An Mri (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Of The Interior Of The Lower Spine (Spinal Canal). A Contrast Agent May Be Given To Enhance The Images. |
| 72158-CPT | Moderate | Mri Lumbar Spine W O W Dye, Magnetic Resonance Eg Proton Imaging Spinal Canal And Contents Without Contrast Material Followed By Contrast Material S And Further Sequences Lumbar |
What is a fee schedule?
A fee schedule is a list of fixed prices that healthcare providers charge for specific services, including CPT 72148. These prices vary depending on payer type (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance), geographic location, and provider contracts.
Understanding the 72148 fee schedule helps patients estimate costs and providers optimize billing for accurate reimbursements.
Factors that affect fee schedules
Medicare & Medicaid Rates
Government-set reimbursement amounts
Private Insurance Rates
Negotiated rates between providers and insurance companies
Geographic Location
Costs may be higher in urban areas.
Provider Type
Hospital providers may have different rates than private practice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
CPT 72148 reports an MRI of the lumbar spinal canal and contents without contrast. With contrast it is 72149, and without followed by with contrast it is 72158.
Many commercial plans and Medicare Advantage plans require prior authorization for lumbar spine MRI, often after a period of conservative treatment for back pain. Requirements vary by payer.
Imaging codes such as CPT 72148 split into a professional component (modifier 26, the physician's interpretation) and a technical component (modifier TC, the equipment, staff and supplies). A global claim covers both. A radiologist reading for a hospital usually bills only the professional component, so compare rates for the same component. Commercial rates also differ between hospital outpatient departments and freestanding imaging centers.
This page lists the rates commercial payers have published for CPT 72148 in their Transparency in Coverage files, so you can compare payers and see where a contract falls. For government benchmarks, PayerPrice also has the Medicare fee schedule lookup and Medicaid fee schedules by state.